How Schools Can Support HIV Testing Among Adolescents

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Getting tested for HIV is an important step toward prevention; however, testing rates among high school students are low. Schools are important partners in supporting HIV testing among adolescents. Because schools reach millions of students in grades 9–12 every day, they are in a unique position to help educate students about HIV and link them to confidential health services that include HIV testing, counseling, and treatment.

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Why should adolescents get tested for HIV?

Many adolescents engage in behaviors that put them at risk for getting HIV. Compared to other age groups, adolescents are among those least likely to know whether they have HIV. CDC recommends HIV testing for adolescents.

It is important for adolescents to know their HIV status so they can take precautions to protect their health or take medicine to treat HIV if they have the virus. Taking HIV medicine every day can make the viral load (the amount of HIV in the blood) undetectable. Adolescents who get and keep an undetectable viral load have effectively no risk of transmitting HIV, and they also experience better health.

Many youth in the U.S. are living with HIV…

1 in 5
of all new HIV diagnoses are in young people aged 13–24
88%
of new HIV diagnoses are among young men, most of whom are gay or bisexual
A female student with backpack illustration

But often do not know their status…

Around 44%
of young people with HIV do not know they have the virus
only 9%
of heterosexual high school students have ever been tested for HIV
Only 13%
of lesbian, gay, and bisexual students have ever been tested for HIV
A male student walking illustration

Many students engage in behaviors that put them at risk…

21 %
of sexually active high school students used alcohol or drugs before they last had sex
46%
of sexually active high school students did not use a condom the last time they had sex
A female student walking with backpack illustration

How can schools encourage students to get tested for HIV?

  • Access and use health risk behavior data.
  • Teach students about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
  • Connect students with health services that include HIV testing, counseling, and treatment.
    • Increase awareness of student sexual health needs by providing medically accurate information to district and school staff, community partners, parents, and families.
    • Raise student awareness of the need for and availability of health services.
    • Establish a referral system that helps link students to youth-friendly healthcare providers.
  • Encourage students and their families to talk about HIV.
    • Provide families with information and skills they need to support healthy attitudes, behaviors, and environments.
    • Identify unique opportunities to have conversations with their students.

Why Schools?

Students who are TAUGHT ABOUT HIV IN SCHOOLS are more likely to be tested for HIV.

SCHOOLS have direct contact with about

16 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EVERY DAY

during the most critical years of their social, physical, and intellectual development.

SCHOOLS play a key role in supporting HIV testing among students and linking them to confidential health services.

SCHOOLS support and promote the health and safety of students and help them establish lifelong healthy behaviors.

male and female students with backpacks illustration
More Information
Page last reviewed: June 27, 2022
Content source: Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention